Of the entire crowd, Jesus singled out the little man in the sycamore tree and called him by name. That was awesome. Surely, the Lord stepped boldly into Zacchaeus life. The Lord not only invited Himself to his home, He hardly gave the little man time to think twice about it. Some would say that Jesus was a bit bold to presume upon Zacchaeus. Telling a host he must open his home to you? That was bold, but it was the boldness of love. Jesus ensured that His command would be well received, for He inclined the heart of Zacchaeus to welcome Him.

We sometimes feel that God’s love is too bold, persisting, and stubborn. We know that He love us, but we’re certain that that He’s irritated with our sins and annoyed with the constant ups and downs of our spiritual walk. If the Lord of the universe is offering us a bold love, so personal that He calls us by name, why shouldn’t we be with Him? God always uses such intimate language when He relates to us. He paints warm images of sheltering us under His wings, holding us in the palm of His hand, or drawing us close to His breast.

Maybe we fear total surrender to Him because of what may happen if we let go and love. But “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18).

The words of 1 John 4:19 are so intimate: “We love because he first loved us.” If you desire to be free of fear, memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that describe God’s love and your need. Read parts of John’s gospel to hear the heartbeat of Christ just hours before the cross. Read Psalm 51 to grasp the bitterness of sin…then enjoy the Song of Songs to find warm and intimate language of love.

The love of God is bold, daring and courageous. When you consider that it’s the Lord of the universe who steps up to the door of your heart and knocks for entrance, only a fool would refuse Him entry. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus invites Himself into your life, bringing His own joy and welcome. And just as He did with Zacchaeus, He tells you not to hesitate.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelations 3:20).

Many of us Christians today, once confronted with the same question by our pals or co-workers we tend drop the subject by just saying yes and period. It seems like we’re ashamed to declare before the world that we are Christians and we have personal relationship with Jesus. What are we afraid of? We have a great God, powerful, all-knowing God on our side. If we’ve truly known Him for who He is, and understand His will and plans for our lives, then from the abundance of our hearts, that is, full of gratitude and love to God, our mouth will speak of God’s love and grace. We can declare with confidence and conviction that we do have a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord. Who knows if the person who asked if you know Jesus is actually searching for Him and would want you to tell him more about Jesus and how he could have Jesus in his life? That brief question is a clear opportunity to share God’s message of salvation to that person. More than a head knowledge, may we desire a heart knowledge of the Lord so we could feel his heartbeat. His heartbeat is love for the lost and dying souls. If we are so close to the Lord, then we would be able to feel his heartbeat and we would have the passion for the lost souls.

Knowing about Christ is one thing; it’s just a head knowledge. Knowing Him is another thing. Knowing Christ for who He really is would definitely guarantee a wonderful experience in Christ. Christianity is more than just avoiding sins or going through life quietly. It is about creating an impact by our wise ways and kind, gracious speech, through which Christ is properly represented, thus giving justice to our assignment as His ambassadors. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God”. When people see how we make decisions, how we behave wherever we are, at work or at home, do we make a difference? Are we able to make an impact even in seemingly small things? If we are experiencing Christ’s love and forgiveness in our own lives, then we are empowered and privileged to make a difference. If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence in our lives for a conviction? As we experience Christ in our own lives while still living in this world, let’s make a difference for the glory of God by the help of the Holy Spirit. How can we, on our own lives, create a positive impact for Christ? Paul exhorts, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).

Do we personally, intimately, experientially know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Our salvation is God’s gift. Have you accepted this gift? Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling as God’s adopted child?

God wants us to have a present-tense excitement, a right-around-the-corner anticipation of heaven. He wants us to believe that we have already come to the heavenly Jerusalem. He wants us to realize that we are already seated with Christ in heavenly places, “having our conversation in heaven”. As far as God is concerned, the coming of the Lord is at hand, ready to explode on the world’s stage at any moment.

The resurrection throbs with present-tense excitement when we learn to invest our days in eternity. When we sit close to self-scrutiny, when we examine our motives, words, and actions to make certain we are building for eternal glory, then heaven will seem as close as a heartbeat. The future, the distant, and the vague will appear as the present, the near, and the real. The kingdom of God is within you, Jesus said, and it increases our appetite for kingdom fulfillment at any day, any moment.

No doubt as Jesus expounded to His disciples the truths concerning the coming kingdom, those who were more ambitious coveted for themselves a privileged position in the new regime. Peter, on one occasion, wanted to know from Christ what his reward would be for having left all to follow Him (Mark 10:28). Again, the disciples while traveling were found arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest among them (Mark 9:34). It is evident from this, and other incidents in the lives of the disciples, that ambition for the coming kingdom was high on their list of priorities. James and his brother John are considered by many commentators to be the two most ambitious disciples. There is nothing wrong with ambition, provided it is linked to the right goals. Philippians 3:14-15 says, “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”

A lively hope of heaven will bring forward the things that most believers call invisible and distant. Such a hope will disclose to you the heavenly mansions, the happy courts, the adoring multitudes. It opens your ears to hear heavenly melodies, to catch the very words of angel’s anthems. I pray that each of us will see visions of heaven so that we might live today for eternal glory.

How grateful we ought to be for the love of Christ that gives us a privileged position in the coming God’s kingdom. Christ’s love sent Him to a shameful death on the cross more than 2,000 years ago because of our sins. Yes, our sins have been paid in full. Thank you Jesus! What love, what grace that bore my sin and nailed it to the three! No words can say nor tears express this joy He’s given me. Would you also like to receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord and begin your exciting journey heavenward, spending joyful days in eternity with Christ Jesus?